You might love the beautiful color-pointed coat of the Siamese but want a breed that’s a little more laid back and a bit less vocal. Or maybe you’d love a color-pointed cat with a stunning longhaired coat instead.
The good news is that the pointed coloration that makes Siamese cats so distinctive is also found in plenty of other breeds. Let’s take a look at the top 11 cat breeds that look like Siamese cats but aren’t! No matter what coat type or personality of cat you’re after, our list includes something for everyone.
The 11 Cat Breeds That Look Like Siamese Cats
1. Balinese Cats
The Balinese breed is thought to have occurred as a natural mutation within the Siamese, although now they’re considered separate breeds. Balinese cats have medium-length, silky coats and the same wide range of color-point combinations as Siamese cats. They are intelligent and vocal and love spending plenty of time with their human companions.
2. Birman Cats
The beautiful Birman is a gentle and affectionate color-pointed breed, with stunning coats in a medium to long length. They also have white paws that contrast with their darker legs. The Birman breed is traditionally believed to be descended from temple cats and is used to being both adored and pampered by the humans lucky enough to share their house!
3. Ragdoll Cats
If you love those classic Siamese colors but would prefer a more docile personality, the sweet Ragdoll could be the perfect breed for you. Ragdolls are gentle, laidback, and affectionate. These chunky cats love nothing more than hanging out with their families, and they get along well with other pets too.
4. Neva Masquerades
Neva Masquerades are often mistaken for long-haired Siamese cats because of their blue eyes and pointed coats. However, they are, in fact, a colorpoint variation of the Siberian cat and are quite rare. This energetic and affectionate breed has a beautiful, dense coat and sturdy build. Their friendly nature and love for people make them great family companions.
5. Tonkinese Cats
The Tonkinese is a fairly new breed and was originally known as the “Golden Siamese” before having their name changed to “Tonkinese” in 1971. These cats have short to medium-length pointed coats. It’s said that their personality is something of a blend of the Burmese and Siamese breeds.
6. Himalayan Cats
The Himalayan is similar to the Persian breed but has a color-pointed coat. These stocky cats are nicknamed “Himmies” and make gentle and laidback companions. They’re well-suited to life as an indoor cat, and while they love attention, they won’t demand it as a Siamese would! Their long coats need a great deal of grooming to stay in pristine condition.
7. Devon Rex Cats
The Devon Rex breed has a distinctive wavy coat, which can have a pointed coloration in some cats. These cats also have huge ears and large eyes, making them incredibly distinctive. They’re playful and affectionate, and their low-shedding short coat may be better tolerated by some people with allergies, though no cat is truly hypoallergenic. For those who love the Siamese look, a color-pointed Devon Rex can be another breed to consider.
8. Cornish Rex Cats
Another breed with a close, wavy coat is the Cornish Rex. They might be lithe and athletic, but these cats are surprisingly muscular to pick up. If a Cornish Rex wants attention, they won’t be afraid to demand it. They have playful personalities and can easily be trained to play games like fetch, as well as learn tricks like high five and sit.
9. Munchkin Cats
The Munchkin breed is a little controversial due to the fact that they have shorter legs than normal. This trait is caused by a genetic mutation affecting bone development. As a recently developed breed, it’s under quite a lot of scrutiny as the Munchkin mutation also carries an increased risk of other orthopedic issues, and the Munchkin is not accepted into many breed registries due to concerns about health and welfare. Despite this, they are outgoing and friendly cats that don’t seem to care at all that they might be a little shorter than the average feline. Though they may not be traditional cats similar to Siamese when it comes to looks, they are alike in nature.
10. Exotic Shorthair Cats
The chunky Exotic Shorthair comes in all sorts of colors, including the pointed pattern. They’re affectionate, love human company, and enjoy playing games with their toys in between a good nap. They have thick and dense coats and flat faces, which can be associated with certain respiratory and ocular health concerns. These sweet cats are one of the most popular shorthaired purebred cat breeds, and for good reason!
11. Snowshoe Cats
These sweet and attentive cats are a great choice if you want a loyal cat breed that loves to follow their owners everywhere. They also love food and have a tendency to try and trick all members of the house into feeding them again, so you need to keep a close eye on their rations! Javanese are intelligent cats that are also easy to train and love to learn tricks.
Final Thoughts
There are many cat breeds similar to Siamese cats on our list—some physically and some by way of temperament. Hopefully, our list has given you new insight into Siamese-like cats so you can make the perfect choice before bringing one into your home.
Related Reads:
- Flat-Faced Cat Breeds (With Pictures)
- Tonkinese vs Siamese Cat: What’s The Difference? (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Lucie K, Shutterstock
The 11 Cat Breeds That Look Like Siamese Cats
9 Responses
Are Lynx Pointe Siamese considered a Siamese? My girl came from a shelter they had her listed as Dom Shorthair. She has alot of Siamese characteristics (I have had 3 Siamese) but I cant find much about them on line. Thanks
Hello Beverly. A "Lynx Point" is not a separate cat breed, but rather a specific coat pattern. It happens when a cat inherits both the Siamese colorpoint gene (which creates the dark face, ears, and paws with bright blue eyes) and the agouti (tabby) gene. Instead of having solid dark brown or gray points like a traditional Siamese, a Lynx Point has beautiful tabby rings on her tail, stripes on her legs, and a distinct "M" shape on her forehead. Historically, this pattern started in the 1940s when a seal point Siamese accidentally mated with a tabby cat. Breeders loved the striking "wild" look and the slightly more laid-back, sweet temperament that the tabby genetics brought to the traditionally demanding Siamese personality. Major cat registries actually disagree on whether they count as true Siamese, with some accepting them and some not.
I recently checked out these Siberian kittens and really liked how healthy, fluffy, and playful they are.
A perfect choice for anyone looking for a friendly and lovable pet companion.
my chocolate point Siamese has pink upper and lower eyelids. Any ideas how that happens? thanks .
No idea where he came from. He appeared in my town last spring with a big patch of singers fur on his hip . I think he hitched a ride under a car hood. Seems to have some balance problems, but he's a sweet boy
thanks
Hi Vicky, sorry to hear about your cat, it seems like more than one thing is going on. We recommend you book a consultation with www.pangovet.com to help you narrow down his diagnosis and get the best-personalized advice.
Flame point is missing in your piece here
Dear Jan,
thank you very much for your comment! This article is about cat breeds that are similar to Siamese – that is cat breeds other than Siamese that just look similar. Your suggestion – Flame Point Siamese – is a rare color type of Siamese cat, however, it is still Siamese cat breed.
If you are interested, we have an article about this color variation on our site:
– Flame Point Siamese Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Care Guide & More – https://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/flame-point-siamese-cat/
Just copy and paste the URL into your browser.
We hope that you will find this information useful and thank you again for your message!
Flame Point color does not exist with our registries… They are registered as Red Point